Skin protects our bodies from the elements – wind, temperature, humidity – and as seasons change, our skin can suffer. Winter’s harsh cold in particular puts a strain on the integumentary system, the body’s outermost layer, and 83% of Americans suffer from dry, itchy skin in the winter months. Six in ten even go so far as to say their skin feels “unhealthy” in the driest season of the year, and if left alone dry skin can lead to painful cracking and chapping. 

In New England, winter temperatures routinely dip below 20° Fahrenheit. Then there’s the wind! Whether you’re stacking firewood, cross-country skiing, or just scraping the ice from your windshield, a healthy skincare routine can help protect your body from the elements. Here are some of the best ways to combat winter dryness and keep your skin feeling healthy, from incorporating restorative cannabinoids into your routine to keeping the humidifier running.

Look for Ceramides and Humectants

Both ceramides and humectants are important components of a healthy skincare routine. Ceramides are lipids that help restore the skin’s barrier function. Research indicates ceramide use can improve skin elasticity and pore health, and creams containing ceramides are an excellent choice for regular daytime moisturization. Humectants, too, have an important role to play. Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract and retain moisture in the skin, and incorporating these moisturizers into your routine – especially after showering, when your skin is warm and moist – can help to significantly reduce redness and dryness over time, increasing the resilience of your skin system.

Humidify Primary Living Spaces

Skincare isn’t just about what you put on your skin. Healthy air quality free of pollutants and irritants like dust or smoke is important year-round, but in the winter months it is important to maintain adequate humidity levels in indoor environments, too. Using a humidifier adds moisture to the air, and can prevent skin from drying out. Ensuring proper humidity levels in your home is an important complement to your skincare routine.

Incorporate Restorative Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids, and CBD especially, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties which may help soothe irritated skin. Incorporating CBD topicals into your skincare routine can aid in hydrating and repairing dry skin, and topical cannabinoid use may contribute to restoring the skin’s natural barrier – essential for retaining moisture. Paired with other hydrating natural ingredients, CBD can make wintertime easier on the body and the skin.

Moisturize After Showering or Bathing

There is one moment when moisturizing has the greatest benefits: right after you bathe or take a hot shower. Your skin is warm, soft, and damp. Applying moisturizer to your face and body traps existing moisture in the skin, keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day. Ingredients like shea butter or mineral oil and humectants like beeswax or hyaluronic acid are powerful options for locking in moisture and protecting your skin for the long haul.

Restore & Heal with Our Vanilla Mint Salve

We embrace natural skincare at The Healing Rose, and we consider best practices like the tips on this list when formulating our organic cannabinoid-infused topicals. Our new Vanilla Mint Salve is made with 800 mg each of CBD, CBG, and CBC. These cannabinoids work together with the body’s endocannabinoid system and natural moisturizers and humectants like beeswax and mango butter to soothe inflammation, seal in natural moisture, and support healthy skin all winter long. Massage our salve into your skin after a warm shower, and feel your irritation melt away.

Cannabinoids can be a powerful ally in the fight against dry skin, but it’s important to ensure the ingredients you put on your skin are safe and clean. All our cannabinoids are third-party tested, and every ingredient is certified organic so you can be sure that what you are putting on your skin supports your wellbeing and health.

Try our Vanilla Mint Salve here or explore our other cannabinoid wellness products in our shop.